I always had palpable lymph nodes when i was younger, But in recent years i never really felt for them or worried about them. About three weeks ago i woke up in the morning with hot swollen hands and feet, this had never happened to me like this to the extent that i could barely bend my fingers, later in the day the swelling went down and i didnt worry much until the next day when by whole body started itching, it felt like my skin was so dry but it wasn't and scratching just made it worse (no rash whatsoever) this lasted for about 3 days and even kept me up at night. I have never had any allergies and had not eaten or used any new products on my skin. I never considered Hodgkins since i wasn't even aware of the symptoms until i searched for the possible cause of my itching on line. Fatigue....Yes i can sleep for up to 12 hrs a day sometime, night sweats.......it seemed as though i had these the nights i stayed up itching... Im not loosing weight, im gaining it and i dont think i've had fevers although dreams lately have been unpleasantly vivid. I examined my neck to feel for swollen nodes only to realize that i have palpable nodes down both sides of my neck and under my jaw, i dont know if they are swollen or it they always felt like this but they seem to match perfectly on both sides........I cant stop feeling them and i am starting to panic in fear i really feel like something is wrong....Please anyone with past experiences, your insight, stories of symptoms, suggestions and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I always had palpable lymph nodes when i was younger, But in recent years i never really felt for them or worried about them. About three weeks ago i woke up in the morning with hot swollen hands and feet, this had never happened to me like this to the extent that i could barely bend my fingers, later in the day the swelling went down and i didnt worry much until the next day when by whole body started itching, it felt like my skin was so dry but it wasn't and scratching just made it worse (no rash whatsoever) this lasted for about 3 days and even kept me up at night. I have never had any allergies and had not eaten or used any new products on my skin. I never considered Hodgkins since i wasn't even aware of the symptoms until i searched for the possible cause of my itching on line. Fatigue....Yes i can sleep for up to 12 hrs a day sometime, night sweats.......it seemed as though i had these the nights i stayed up itching... Im not loosing weight, im gaining it and i dont think i've had fevers although dreams lately have been unpleasantly vivid. I examined my neck to feel for swollen nodes only to realize that i have palpable nodes down both sides of my neck and under my jaw, i dont know if they are swollen or it they always felt like this but they seem to match perfectly on both sides........I cant stop feeling them and i am starting to panic in fear i really feel like something is wrong....Please anyone with past experiences, your insight, stories of symptoms, suggestions and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Your symptoms of itching without a rash evident is cardiovascular in nature. The lymphnodes swelling may be a response to simple inflammation of the vascular system. The swelling and weight gain if sudden can be an allergic response to anything including mold, or chemicals in the air. Don't jump to conclusion regarding the lymphoma. Go see your doctor to get this checked out if it continues. There are equally severe diseases that you could have besides lymphoma such as liver disease, heart disease, and vasculitis. All of these diseases cause night sweats and itching as well.

Palpable lymph nodes are not uncommon. As long as they are small (in most people about the size of a pea) nor continuously enlarging they are not a reason for concern.

Itching (also known as "pruritus", generalized or localized) is a nonspecific sypmtom. I disagree with the above poster, there are many more common and much likelier possible causes of itching without rash than he or she mentioned, the most probable ones are skin conditions.
I also read that emotional stress (as you mentioned you are experiencing) may also induce itching sensation.

On another note the most prominent and particular symptom of lymphoma is a painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, which grow out of proportion to the other nodes. Symmetrical lymph nodes are usually not suspicious for lymphoma. These nodes that harbor lymphoma typically continue to increase in size over time as well.

Additional symptoms of lymphoma include fever, weight loss and drenching night sweats. Sweating can be definitely caused by stress as well, it is the drenching night sweats that are more characteristic.
But nevertheless many people are asymptomatic e.g. without symptoms other than lymph node swelling.

From what you described it is very unlikely you got lymphoma. Keep in mind lymphoma is rare.

See your doctor for an evaluation if you are still worried.

Good luck

Thank you sooo much for that last reply. It made me feel alot better. I have always experienced people in my life who have no time to comfort other people unless it benefits them in some way(sad i know) The time that you took to reply is greatly appreciated and i thank you for caring for someone who needs help. Both of you.

No problem at all... I'm glad I could help.

None the less it is appropriate to mention the opinions and advices on these boards including mine should be taken limitedly, and they are not substitute to professional medical checkups. You know, it is quite impossible to provide accurate diagnoses through the internet.

If you seek my opinion, you will be just fine...

Very wise words on this board - from my experience, Hodgkins has some pretty definite symptoms. My late husband had HD. He had flu like symptoms, rapid weight loss, coughing (without activity, meaning, not a cold like cough), drenching night sweats, every night and a large swelling in his neck that did not move. He had these symptoms for about a month.

At that time, 21 years ago, I didn't even know what it was. But like suggested, being afraid doesn't make it go away and seeing a doctor will squash your fears. Your symptoms, to me, don't sound like a lymphoma but as suggested, to make you feel better, make an app't with the doctor, even if he wanted to run tests, it's worth peace of mind.

I had a slight scare myself at the beginning of the year and even though the doctor called my node a reactive node, he ran a chest xray just to give himself a checkmark and to make me feel better.

Very wise words on this board - from my experience, Hodgkins has some pretty definite symptoms. My late husband had HD. He had flu like symptoms, rapid weight loss, coughing (without activity, meaning, not a cold like cough), drenching night sweats, every night and a large swelling in his neck that did not move. He had these symptoms for about a month.



If you don't mind me asking, how large was the "large swelling" in his neck? How big does a something have to be before it is considered a major problem? How about the night sweats, how bad are they? How bad do they have to be to be a major concern? Thanks!

If you don't mind me asking, how large was the "large swelling" in his neck? How big does a something have to be before it is considered a major problem? How about the night sweats, how bad are they? How bad do they have to be to be a major concern? Thanks!

Everyone is different so you can't use another person's symptoms as a benchmark but generally speaking and from my personal experience, the swelling was quite large, maybe half the size of your palm and it was on the lower left side of his neck, above the collar bone. It started off like a small swollen gland and just kept getting big. Obviously, if you have a swelling and it keeps getting bigger and bigger, it should be investigated,

The night sweats were drenching, I mean he was soaked, the bed was soaked and there was no confusing as to are these night sweats or am I just hot. And he always had shaking chills.

How bad do the symptoms need to be - that is so hard to answer. He went to work every day but was dragging when he got home. He was slightly feverish during the day; he had a weight loss of ten pounds in a month. His fatigue would make him fall asleep at the dinner table sitting up; he had a constant non productive cough.

I guess my suggestion would be to get it checked out because worrying about it makes it worse. But if you have any other questions, I am happy to share what I know about HD.

Thanks for your response Nanci, it sounds like you went through a lot. I had a cousin that died from a tumor, and that's one of the things that makes me a worrier, to.

I have had trouble sleeping lately, but my sweating doesn't sound remotely close to being as bad as what you described. My highest temp has been 98.8, because I've been tracking it for about a week now. I was having stomach problems (vomiting, diahhreah) last week and lost weight, but my appetite is returning and my weight doesn't seem to be dropping anymore.

My "node" that has had me worried is behind/under my earlobe and about the size of bean or a tic-tac, maybe slightly larger. Do you, or any of the other knowledgeable people here, know big they have to be before they become a critical concern, or how fast they grow? Thanks!

And seeing a doctor doesn't always squash my fears. I'm doctor-phobic, and I've seen some pretty scary doctors. ;)

I didnt' mean to hijack this persons post. Should I start a separate one over my concerns, or is it fine to post here?

Thanks for your response Nanci, it sounds like you went through a lot. I had a cousin that died from a tumor, and that's one of the things that makes me a worrier, to.

I have had trouble sleeping lately, but my sweating doesn't sound remotely close to being as bad as what you described. My highest temp has been 98.8, because I've been tracking it for about a week now. I was having stomach problems (vomiting, diahhreah) last week and lost weight, but my appetite is returning and my weight doesn't seem to be dropping anymore.

My "node" that has had me worried is behind/under my earlobe and about the size of bean or a tic-tac, maybe slightly larger. Do you, or any of the other knowledgeable people here, know big they have to be before they become a critical concern, or how fast they grow? Thanks!

And seeing a doctor doesn't always squash my fears. I'm doctor-phobic, and I've seen some pretty scary doctors. ;)

I didnt' mean to hijack this persons post. Should I start a separate one over my concerns, or is it fine to post here?
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Is the node getting bigger or growing, would be the first question to ask yourself. If it's the size of a tic-tac which is the size I would explain mine, I don't believe it's worrisome. 98.8 is really not a temp. Stomach issues sounds like a flu to me, especially if the symptoms went away. Anxiety will also cause your stomach to be upset.

Trouble sleeping, I forget the last time I slept thru the night! You are in the same boat I am - once your "exposed" to cancer, some people become very "sensitized" thinking they have it too. I am the same exact way, I always think something is cancer which is the reason I went nuts when I found this node on my neck. According to what I've read and the responses on this board, a pea size node that does not grow is common in some people. I'm on the thinner side so I feel everything. If I had to compare what you wrote to my experience with my late husband, it's not even close! His lump was a big swelling and he had a ten pound weight loss in one month and he was dragging himself around. We thought the flu but the flu typically doesn't last well over a month. If you are still concerned, go to a surgeon. A surgeon will be able to tell just by touch, most competent doctors won't dismiss something suspecious.

Thanks again Nanci. You have helped to ease my mind somewhat. It takes a special person to try to help other people with their problems.

As far as I can tell it's not growing. I will keep an eye on it. It's stayed the same for at least 7 weeks now, but I just registered on this site yesterday. Do you know how long these things take to grow to, and what would be considered, a "considerable" size? Mine does seem to get bigger if I poke at it a lot (I try not to, but you probably understand how that goes). By now, I've probably poked and squeezed at it enough to leave it permanantly scarred and it will never go away.

Anxiety could very well be a culprit behind my stomach problems, and I also wonder if anxiety/fear/stress could also be the cause of my sleep/waking/sweating problems.

Quality medical care is a luxury that is hard to come by for me. I'm one of the many people that fall through the cracks with our health care system. I'm uninsured, but I don't qualify for Medicaid. If I were female, I would qualify for medicaid though. How's that for kicks? Even if this turned into a major problem, I don't know how I could get care anyway.

[QUOTE=Freaked]Thanks again Nanci. You have helped to ease my mind somewhat. It takes a special person to try to help other people with their problems.

As far as I can tell it's not growing. I will keep an eye on it. It's stayed the same for at least 7 weeks now, but I just registered on this site yesterday. Do you know how long these things take to grow to, and what would be considered, a "considerable" size? Mine does seem to get bigger if I poke at it a lot (I try not to, but you probably understand how that goes). By now, I've probably poked and squeezed at it enough to leave it permanantly scarred and it will never go away.

Anxiety could very well be a culprit behind my stomach problems, and I also wonder if anxiety/fear/stress could also be the cause of my sleep/waking/sweating problems.


The best suggestion I can give you is to try not to pay attention to it for at least 6 weeks - it's my understanding that even if you touch a node once a week, it prevents it from shrinking or going away. Poking at it will definately irriate it. Think about if you have cut and you touched it every day, will it heal?

Obviously, I'm not suggesting that you don't pay attention to your health - only you know your body but I think for a bit, if you re-focus and get busy with other things, I bet you'll realize that you feel better after a few days of not thinking about it. If you're going to get sick, you'll know it soon enough so stop looking for it.

As far as your question about how fast it grows, again, my own personal experience is a suspecious node will keep growing; it does not stay the same. With my husband, it was almost overnight. I don't think it's something even a lay person could ignore. As far as your medical care situation, I would look into available sources for low income individuals. It won't be a waste of time and the sqeaky wheel often works.

If your remark about being a woman and qualifying for assistance is true in your state, that sounds a bit bias to me and something else I would personally look into! Oh, and finally, stress and anxiety related illness will get you before anything else does!